Window cleaning device



2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30, 1941. F. suPNlcK WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE FiledMay 5l, 1941 Dec. 3o, 1941.

F. suPNlcK 2,267,846

WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 3l, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y 9BY FReDR/c/ 5uP/wcK ATTORI/F Patented Dec. 30, 1941 WINDOW CLEANINGDEVICE Frederick Supnick, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of one-half to RoseSaxe, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 31, 1941, Serial No. 395,913

I Cl. 15--251) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a windowcleaning device.

The invention proposes the construction of a device as mentioned whichis of particularly simple construction, lightweight, labor saving, andwhich may be conveniently manipulated from inside a window toeffectively clean the outside. Thus the device is in the nature of asafety devi-ce because the necessity of sitting out on a window orbending out has been eliminated.

It is proposed to characterize the window cleaning device by a carriageadapted to rest upon and move laterally along the sill of the window,and by a light-weight frame slidably mountedon the carriage to beymanually moved inwards and outwards of the window. Furtherrnore,A ,itisproposed to mount an arm which is provided with a window cleaningmember, on the fouter end of the frame in such a manner that it:resiliently engages against the outside of the window/"during themanipulation of the frame.

#Another object of the invention resides in the provisionof means bywhich the window cleanstruct? the arm'which supports the window cleaning'meinberof iiexiblematerial,A and to supplement this flexibleconstruction with resilient means acting in conjunction with the arm forresiliently -urging the arm towards the window.

-With this arrangement the window cleaning member will alwaysmaintaincontact with the outside of the window when the frame is movedinwards and outwards.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the windowcleaning member in a certain Way to more eiectively clean the windo'wduring the operation of the device, A construction is further proposedby which cleaning cloths, or other sheets of material may be effectivelyclamped upon and removed from a support of the cleaning membenasdesired.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the saidcarriage which rests upon arid moves laterally on the window sill in acertain way that it may readily be adapted to window sills of differentdesigns.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description Iand accompanying drawings. and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

terial part of this disclosure:

through the sockets 23.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view' of a window equippedwith a window cleaning device which is viewed in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional viewtaken on theline 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4 4 ofFig. 1. Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on theline 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sec- Y tional View taken onthe line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of theline 1 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in thedirection of the line 8--8 of Fig..1.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 2to more clearly illustrate.'

certain of the parts.

The window` cleaning device, .in accordance with this invention, isintended to cleanWindOWS, as for example the window I2, which has a sillI3 or other bottom support. The window I2 also has the usual outer sashI4 and inner sash I5.

I6 adapted to rest upon and be moved laterally on the said window sillI3. A frame` I'I is slid-v ably mounted on the carriage I6 vand isadapted to be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window sillI3. An arm I8 i mounted on the outer end of the frame II. .A windowcleaning member I9 is mounted on the outer end of the arm I8 and isadapted to engage against the outer face of the window panes of thewindow I2. Means is provided for resiliently urging -the arm I8 towardsthe said Window I2, for urging the member I9 against the panes of thewindow during the inward and outward motion oi the frame I'I during theuse of the window cleaning device.

The carriage I6 includes an inner body section I6 and an outer bo ysection IB. TheV inner body section I6' comprises a pair of inverted L-shaped strips 20 spaced from each other and l xedly held by a transversestrip 2I. Rollers 22 are mounted upon the ends of the transverse strip2|. A socket 23 is mounted on thev top of each strip 20.. The outer bodysection I6" includes a pair of strips 24 slidably engaged A transversestrip 25 is mounted across the-outer ends of the strips 24. Rollers 22are mounted upon the ends of the transverse strip 25. Each socket 23 isprovided with a clamp screw 26 hv which the strips 24 may be lxedlyheld. The arrangement is such that the clamp screws 26 may be loosenedand then the body section I6' and I6" shifted towards or away from eachother to adjust the width of the carriage I6 so that it may properlyengage the window sill I3. t.

Each roller 22 is provided with a cylindrical body portion 28 andaiiange 29. Cushioning material, such as rubber sheet material 36 ismounted upon each roller at points to engage the window sill and preventdamage to the sill during the operation of the device. Each roller 22 isrotatively mountedY on a stud 3l which is mounted upon said transversestrips A2I and 25. The tops of the sections I6' and I6" are disposed ata slant so as to slope downwards and outwards. 'Ihis facilitates holdingthe frame I1 in a similar position, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The flanges 29 of the rollers 22 are adapted to.l

vengage edge portions or shoulder portions normally formed on windowsills, as for example clearly shown in Fig. 1. Hooks 2Ia are alsomounted on the transverse strips 2| and extend downwards to the insideof the 'window sill I3 for preventing accidental outward falling off ofthe carriage I6 from the window sill.

The frame I1 includes a rigid strip 32 extendanother crossbar 35 mountedacross the outerv end of the strip 32. This outer crossbar 35 has itsend portions 36 bent upwards at right angles to the main portionthereof. Tracks 31 are mounted cn the said crossbars 34 and 35 and extend parallel to the strip 32. These tracks 31 are in the form oftightly stretched rods or wires. Each rod or wire 31 has one of its endportions stationarily mounted on thecross piece 34 by being loopedthrough an opening 38 formed in the cross piece. A holding member 39'holds the end portion of each loop in the loop formation. The other endof each rod or wire 31 is formed into a loop portion which is held by asimilar member 39. However, this latter loop portion engagesupon a hook40 which is adjustably mounted upon the cross bar 35.

More speciiically,v a socket 4I is provided for each hook 4U and isiixedly mounted on the cross piece 35. kThe hook 40 slidably engagesthrough the socket 4I. A pin 42 is mounted on the socket 4I and engagesa slot 43 formed in the side of the arm of the hook 40 to prevent itfrom turning. Thus the hook 40 may only move inwards and outwards. Awing nut 44- is threadedly engaged upon the shank portion of the hook`40and abuts the end of the socket 4I. With this arrangemenithe nut 44 maybe turned to move the hook 40 so as to stretch the rod or wire 31 forholding it in its tautly stretched condition.

The tracks 31 are engaged upon guides 45 mounted on the carriage I6.These guides 45 are in the form of blocks 46 mounted upon the strips 24of the carriage I6 and each block 46 However, when it is desired' ltodisconnect 'the frame I1 from the carriage I6, these parts may berelatively moved and then the tracks 31 will be forced out between thesprings 46. Auxiliary guides 49 are mounted on the strips 24, inwards orthe guides 46 and are adapted to assist in guiding the tracks 31. Theseauxiliary guides 49 comprise vertical members 50 mounted on the strips24V and carrying tubular protectors` 5I preferably made from heavy clothmaterial and against which the tracks 31'engage.

A bar 52 forlimiting downward motion of the frame I1 is mounted acrossthe inner ends of the strips 24. The bottom edge portion of the windowsash being cleaned serves as a limiting means for preventing excessiveupward motion ol." the frame |61. The arrangement is such that thehandle`33 may be gripped and the frame I1 reciprocated inwards andoutwards, and during this reciprocation it will be held against lateralmovement by the guides and the auxiliary guides 49. A ilexible protector9| is attachedto the transverse strip4 25 and depends outwards over anddown the window sillv I3. The protector 98 comprises several ilexiblestrands 96a supporting a plurality of closely spaced woodeny rods, 96h.The protector 99 prevents injury to provided with a.. pair of outwardlydisposed ends 58. The window cleaning member I9 includes a at plate 59having socket portions 60 located is provided with a slot 41 forreceiving the track,

above its horizontal centerto make the window cleaning member I9 bottomheavy and said sockets 60 receiving thecutwardly disposed endsv 58 sothat the window cleaning member I9 is together t'o disengage theoutwardly disposed ends 58 from the sockets 66 and then the windowcleaning. member I9 may be removed from the arm I8. The -window cleaningmember .I9-

also includes a lsheet of covering material 6I such as a cleaning cloth,ora sheet of chamois or other similar material. This sheet 6I hasseveralA rubber strips 62a xedly mounted upon its inner face inpositions to rest against the plate 59. These Vstrips 62a are adapted tomore effectively press portions of the sheet 6I against the window beingcleaned so as to increase vthe pressure lper square ,inch of theoperative parts of the sheet 6I and thus more effectively carry out thecleaning operation. The sheet 6I is removably supported on the at plate59 by several clamps 62 and 62 mounted along the edges of the plate 59.

Each clamp 62 includes a jaw 63 pivotally mount-- ed on a rod 64supported upon the plate 59 by the lugs 65. 64 and acts between theplate 59 andjaw 63 for urging the jaw 63 into gripping position. Theclamp 62 includesa jaw 63 pivotally mounted on a rod 64 supported bylugs 65' on the plate A spring 66 is mounted on the rodv S. A spring 66is mounted on the rod 64' and acts between the plate 56 and jaw 63' forurging the jaw 63' closed. The major portion of the clamp 62' is withinthe arms of the yoke 5,1.

Means is. also provided, as previously stated, for resiliently urgingthe arm I8 towards the window l2 for urging the member I9 against thewindow during the inward and outward motion of the frame I1. This meansincludes a slide 61 mounted upon the stem 53 afnd provided with a pairof lug portions 68 which are connected with springs 69. These springs 69extend downwards and are hooked upon a plate 'I0 which is ilxedlymountedupon theI outer end of the strip 32 of the frame I1. The slideB'I is xedly held in adjusted positions. 'The means for accomplishingthis includes a `screw 1I rotatively mounted through a lug 12 on thestemk 53. This screw 1I threadedly engages a lug 13 on the slide 61.`The screw 1I has a head 14 by which it may be turned. The arrangement issuch that when the screw 1I is turned in one direction the slide 61 willmove up on the stem 53 increasing the tension of the springs 69, andwhenv turned in the other direction the slide 61 will move down on thestem 53, slackening the tension of the springs 69. This arrangementpermits a proper adjustment of the resilient action under which thecleaning member I9 is urged against the window. Y

Means is also provided for moving the arm`l8 outwards for disengagirigthe member I9 from the window, when this is desired. This is necessarywhen windows are cleaned which have the usual slats separatingsmall'panes ofthe win dow. The means includes a lever formed from aU-shaped length of wire. The arms 15a. ofthe lever 15 are pivotallymounted intermediate of their ends by a pintle 'I6 on the 'strip- 32.The outer ends of the arms of' the lev'r 15, ,areconnected by a rod 11'.A spring 18 is mounted be'- tween the rod 11 and `a lug 19 upon thebottom of the strip 32. 'Ihe arms of the lever 15 have their outer ends15b turned laterally into loop portions. These loop'portions 15b areengaged by the end 'of a. cord or cable 80. This cord or cable 80lextends along the sides of the strip 32 and passes throughf eyelets 8|mounted on the sides of the strip32.

The center of the cord or ica`ble 80 is engagedv by a hook 82 which isInen'ted upon the casing of a pulley 83. A cordi"or`cable 84 engagesover the pulley 83. PThiszcor'd or cable 84 has one of its ends fixedlyattached to'an eye memberv 85 mounted on the strip 3.2. The other end ofthe cord orY cable 84slidably passes through an eyer member 86, alsovmounted on the kstrip 32'. A handle 31 is mounted upon the latter end ofthe cord-84. The arrangement issuch that the handle 81 may be pulled tomove the pulley -83 inwards and so move the cable or cord 80T inwards tomove the outer ends of lthe arms of the lever 15, and pivot the lover15as indicated by the dot and dash lines 15' in Fig. l. Thelever 15 thenstrikes the' arm I8 and is capable of pushing the arm I8 outwards sothat the arm IB pivots on the pintles 56 to a position in which thewindow cleaning member I9 will disengage from the window. When thehandle 81 is released the parts will return to their original positionsdue to the contraction of the spring 18.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The frame I1 may be manually reciprocated inwards and outwards Vbygripping the handle 33 and moving it in the direction desired. The

3 springs-69 will maintain the arm" I8 in a position in which the windowcleaning member I9 maintains contact with the'butside of the windowkpane Abeing cleaned. Thus. the memberIS will move upwards and downwardscleaning the outside ofthe window. The carriage I6 may be moved to a newlateral position on the window sill I3 to permit another verticalsection of the` window to be cleaned. Thev operation is continued untilthe entire outside of the sash of the window is. cleaned. The cleanedsash is then moved out of the way and the other window sash is movedinto a down position and may then be similarly cleaned. Wheneverrequired the han` dle 81v may be pulled' to indirectly cause the windowcleaning member I9 to disengage from a window pane.

The carriage I6 may have its body sections I6' vand I6" adjusted so thatthe flanges 29v of the rollers 22 engage edge portions or shoulders onthe window sill I3, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus the carriage I6 may only bemoved laterally and cannot possibly move upwards and rearwards on thewindow sill, except by accident. The hooks 2I a prevent the carriage I6from falling out of the window. I

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right isl reservedV toall changes and modifications coming within the scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described myr invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United; States Letters Patent is:

1. In a window cleaning device having a. car-V riage for resting uponand moving laterallyon a window sill of a window, a frame 'slidablymounted onlsaid carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards ofsaid window, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a

window cleaning vmember mounted on the outer end of said arm, and meansfor resiliently urging said arm towards said. window for urging saidmember-against said window during said inward and outward: motion ofsaid frame, and saidV means comprising a spring acting between said armand said frame, and a slide adjustably mounted on one of these parts andconnected with said spring for controlling the tension of said spring.A

2. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon andmoving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mountedon said carriage to be manuallyk movedv inwards and outwards ofI saidwindow, an arm mounted on the outer endV of said frame, a win-- dowcleaning member mounted on thevouter end of said arm, and means forresiliently urging said arm towards said window'for urging s aid memberagainst said window during said inward and outwardk motion of saidfram-aand' said means including springs actingto urgel said arm towardssaid window, said-springs being-mount? ed at one of their endsl onsaidframe and at the other of their ends being connected with a slide `onsaidv arm, and means for holdingsaid slide in various positionsv fortensioning said springs.

3. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon' andmoving lateral-ly onv a *windowv sill of a window, Ia frame slidablymounted on said carriage-.tonbe manually moved inwards and outwards Yofsaid window,.an arm .lmaunted on the outer end ofsaid frame, a

vcomprising arigid strip, crossbars mounted upon said strip, and tracksmounted on said crossbars and slidably connected'with said carriage,said tracks comprising track elements mounted between said crossbars.

4. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon andmoving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mountedon said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards of saidwindow and having crossbars mounted onits inner and outer ends, an armmounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaning member mountedon the outer end of said arm, and means for resiliently urging said armtowards said window for urging said member against said window duringsaid inward and outwardy motion of said trame, and tracks mounted onsaid crossbars and slidably connected with said carriage, said trackscomprising wires -mounted between said crossbars.

5. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for restingupon andmoving laterally on a window sill o! a window, a frame slidably mountedon said carriage tolbe manually movedinwards and outwards of saidwindow, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaningmember mounted on'the outer end of said arm, and means for resilientlyvurging said arm towards said window for urging said member against saidwindow during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and tracksmounted on said crossbars and slidably 'connected with said carriage,said tracks comprising wires, and means for holding said wires in tautpositions.

6. In a window cleaning device having a cai-,

riage .for resting upon and moving laterally ona window sill of awindow, a frame slidably mounted on said carriageto be manually movedinwards and outwards of said window, an arm mounted on the outer end ofsaid frame, a window cleaning member mounted on the outer end of saidarm, and means for resiliently urging said armr towards said windowforurging said member against said window during said inward and outwardmotion of said frame, and tracks mounted on said crossbars and slidablyconnectedwith said carriage, said tracks comprising wires, and means forholding said wires in taut positions, comprising hooks connected withone` of the ends of the wires, and means for holding said hooks invarious Yly adjusted positions.

7. In a window cleaning device having a carriage `for resting upon andmoving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mountedon said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards of saidwindow, an arm longitudinalmounted on the outer end or said frame. awindow cleaning member mounted on the outer end of said arm. means forresiliently urging said larm towards said window for urging said memberagainst said window during said inward and outward motion of said frame,and means for moving said arm outwards for disengagingsaid member fromsaid window and comprising a lever movably mounted on said frame, `andmeans for moving said lever to strike and lift said arm.

8. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon andmoving laterally on a window sill of a window. a frame slidably mountedon said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards 0I saidwindow, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaningmember mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for resilientlyurging said arm towards said window for urging said member against saidwindow during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and meansfor moving said arm outwards for disengaging said member from saidwindow, comprising a lever pivotally mounted on-said frame and adaptedin a pivoted position to strike andliitsaid arm, means for urging -saidlever into an inoperative position, and means for moving said lever.

9. In av windowl cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon andmoving-laterally on a window sill ofa window;` a Vframe slidably mountedon said carriage to bemariually moved inwards and outwardsfofsaidfwindow, an arm mounted on the outer end oi said f1."ame, a windowcleaning member mounted onthe outer end of said arm, means forresiliently urging said armtowards said window for urgingv said memberagainst said window during said inward and outward motion of saidyframe, and means for moving said arm outwards for disengaging saidmember from said window, comprising a lever pivotally mounted on'saidframe and adapted in a pivoted positionto s trike and lift said arm,means for urging said lever into an inoperative position, and means formoving saidvlever, comprising a cord connected with said lever, a hookconnected with said cord and mounted on a pulley, and another cordextended over said pulley and having one end stationarily mounted onsaid frame and its other end manually movable.

l0. In a window cleaning device having a frame to be manually movedinwards and outwards of a window having a sill with stepped sections, acarriage for supporting said frame on the sill of said window,comprising an inner body section and an outer body section adjustab'lyconnected, anged wheels mounted on said body sections for engaging thesteps of said sill, and hooks for preventing said carriage from fallingout of said window, the tops of said sections sloping downwards andoutwards, and a pro-v tector for extending over said sill to protectsaid frame and comprising flexible strands depending from said carriage,and wooden rods closely spacediand mounted across said strands.

FREDERICK SUPNICK.

